For
a long time, Vietnam and some other Asian countries who follow
the rite of worshipping the Moon Genie, welcome the Mid-Autumn
Festival on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. This is the time
when the moon is full, the farm work is at rest, and the weather
is cool and fresh. Apart from the Lunar New Year, the Mid-Autumn
Festival is the most impressive event for the Vietnamese, particularly
the children. There is no other event in the year other than this
festival that provides them with as much entertainment, toys,
cakes, candies, and fruit.

About
half a month before the event, various kinds of colourful items,
mostly cakes, candies and toys, are displayed for sale along the
streets, in the shops and at the markets. Everyone, both domestic
and foreign, is eager to go either shopping or sight-seeing. On
the festive day, some families cook outstanding food to offer
their ancestors during the daytime. In the evening, the mid-autumn
festive party is prepared with cakes, candies and fruits. Cakes
are various, but a "must" is the banh deo (glutinous-rice dumplings)
and banh nuong (cakes) in the shape of the moon and fish. Fruit,
including longans, simmons, bananas, grapefruits, etc., are also
abundant and diverse.

The
Festival is exceptionally interesting for the children who play
happily with the bright new toys. The toys are made from various
different forms: the lion lead, the animal in folk tales and stories.
The lanterns are colorful and of various kinds, such as the rabbit,
the carp, etc. Besides traditional carton paper toys, plastic
and bamboo plates, ships, tanks, etc. made of plastics with batteries
and having remote controls are also on sale. This is understandable
due to the economic improvements of the people. Whether organized
in the city or countryside, the preserved tradition of the Mid-Autumn
Festival is reflected in the way the children play games such
as seek-and-hide, lion dancing, lantern marching, etc.

The
welcome-the-moon party in the evening is a good opportunity for
the children not only to enjoy the food, but also to learn more
from their grandparents and parents. They are told how to prepare
the party in the most attractive way. To decorate the party, there
is always a "doctor" made of paper or dough, which reminds the
children of the high achievements to be obtained in their studies.
The time to start enjoying the party is solemnly shared by the
whole family and becomes the most sacred moment of the Mid-Autumn
Festival. In the bright moonlight, clear sky and fresh environment,
everybody is relaxed with a pure and detached joy.

Mooncakes have
played a central role in Moon Festival traditions. Today, far
from the exotic and heroic legends, Asian communities all over
the world make and consume mooncakes during the traditional autumn
Moon Festival.